The smell of roasted pork fills the air surrounding the farm at the Hampstead Institute in Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012, as New Orleans-based celebrity Chef Alon Shaya prepares for the annual Food Invasion fundraiser at the Hampstead Institute.

"I love it. I'm having a blast out here," Shaya said as he strolled through the garden past rows of fresh herbs and broccoli. The fundraiser benefits the Hampstead Teaching Institute's program to fund children's food education programs.

The fundraiser also benefits the John Besh Foundation, providing capital for small farms by way of low-interest loans. The Food Invasion begins at 6:30 Thursday, but the event is sold out.